Telecommunications Electronics Technician Competency Listing

Telecommunications Electronics Technician - TCM Competency Requirements

Telecommunications electronics technicians are expected to obtain knowledge of wired and wireless communications basic concepts which are then applicable to various types of voice, data and video systems. Once the CET has acquired these skills, abilities and knowledge, he or she will be able to enter employment in any part of the telecommunications field. With minimal training in areas unique to specific products, the CET should become a profitable and efficient part of the electronics-communications workforce.

Telecommunications Electronics Technicians must be knowledgeable and have abilities in the following technical areas:

1.0 CABLES AND CABLING 1.1 Describe unshielded twisted pair (UTP) - List common usage locations and capabilities 1.2 Demonstrate installation and troubleshooting of RJ45/48 telephone connectors and fittings 1.3 CAT 5 wiring—Explain the differences vs.: single twisted pair and where it is most used 1.4 10 base T-explain where it is commonly used and its frequency capabilities 1.5 Describe the T568A / T568B standards 1.6 Explain how Cable TV wiring is used for data and voice services 1.7 Explain the differences between coax types RG 58, RG 59 and RG 6 1.8 Describe required grounding of electronics equipment 1.10 Describe the differences in Single and Multi-mode fiber optics

2.0 ANALOG TELEPHONY 2.1. Give a brief history of the telephone industry 2.2 Explain how basic phone systems work 2.3 Define POTS, DID, OPX, tie lines and WATS lines 2.4 Explain the benefits and usage of multiple phone lines 2.5 Define PBX and explain basic switching method 2.6 Sketch a local loop map 2.7 Define Key service units 2.8 Define Central Office and list it purposes 2.9 Explain the terms and usage of tones, loop start, ground start and wink start 2.10 Define CO, CPE. 2.11 Explain the differences between dedicated lines, metered and switched services 2.12 Describe broadband DSL and ISDN

3.0 EQUIPMENT 3.1 Describe the principle parts of a telephone and explain the functions of each 3.2 Disassemble and reassemble a telephone set 3.3 Describe the differences between RS-232, RS-530, V.35 and USB interfaces

4.0 TELECOM SAFETY 4.1 Demonstrate and practice general safety procedures in the workplace 4.2 Demonstrate and practice safety procedures in homes and businesses 4.3 Demonstrate special safety procedures required for outside equipment 4.4 Explain OSHA requirements for distribution system workers, including working at heights 4.5 Demonstrate abilities required for distribution and installation technicians 4.6 Explain proper ESD safety procedures

5.0 TRANSMISSION SERVICE PROVIDERS 5.1 Define and explain the purposes of LEC’s—Local Exchange Carriers 5.2 Explain the differences between LEC’s and Regional Operating Companies 5.3 Define independent telephone company

TCM Competency 1 Electronics Technicians Association, Int’l. Telecommunications Electronics Technician Competency Listing

5.4 Define network control points and define NOC 5.5 Define In-band and Common Channel Signaling (CCS) and SS7, Signaling System 7 5.6 Explain the importance of T1 and T3 lines 5.7 Explain multiplexing and its importance to today’s communications systems

6.0 DISTRIBUTION METHODS 6.1 Show ability to install and troubleshoot plug and adapter wiring 6.2 The punch block and tools-show ability to properly perform connections and labeling 6.3 Define T carrier (DS1’s) 6.4 Show why and how repeaters are used in telephone communications 6.5 Explain the usage of Channel Banks 6.6 Define Common Carrier

7.0 COMPUTER 7.1 Describe the interrelationship between computers and communications technology 7.2 Explain how a Modem interfaces with the computer and show differences in common modems 7.3 Describe worldwide numbering systems 7.4 Define network control points 7.5 Define database 7.6 Explain CTI—Computer Telephony Integration 7.7 Explain how Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is used and list benefits

8.0 DIGITAL TELEPHONY 8.1 Define ISDN 8.2 Explain advantages and usage of DSL 8.3 Explain ‘bundling’ and ‘unbundling’ of telephone services 8.4 Describe the differences between bytes, packets and frames 8.5 Explain the principles of Caller ID

9.0 INTERFACING 9.1 Describe the problems which are commonly encountered when interconnecting consumer electronics and telephone equipment. 9.2 Explain electrical surge potentials and ways to combat damage from them 9.3 Describe EIA, CTIA and ITU protocols and standards

10.0 INTERNET 10.1 Describe the Internet 10.2 Explain TCP/IP duties and protocols 10.3 Explain security problems with Internet service and list ways to improve security

11.0 NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURES AND TOPOLOGIES 11.1 Define RS232 and show how and where this standard is used 11.2 Describe common transmission protocols 11.3 Explain the difference between a LAN and a WAN 11.4 Show an ability to install a small business WAN system and to troubleshoot problems in it

12.0 OFFICE WIRING 12.1 List building wiring standards as set by ANSI, EIA/TIA and NFPA (NEC) 12.2 Explain methods of pre-wiring and ways to wire existing buildings, including entry, attic and crawl space precautions and methods of ‘fishing’ walls and routing wiring through false ceilings.

13.0 TEST EQUIPMENT 13.1 Define the job of certifying wired communications networks 13.2 Describe Bit Error Rate test equipment (TBerd, etc.); toners and OTDRs 13.3 Demonstrate proficient use of an OTDR to troubleshoot cabling problems and to verify installed cable TCM Competency 2 Electronics Technicians Association, Int’l. Telecommunications Electronics Technician Competency Listing

14.0 TROUBLESHOOTING 14.1 Demonstrate proper usage of telephone test equipment as well as common DVM’s, signal tracers and sources, oscilloscopes and loop and network testing equipment 14.2 Describe “Last Good, First Bad” troubleshooting methods and loop testing

15.0 TRANSMISSION PROTOCOLS 15.1 Define Modulation schemes

16.0 TELECOM MATHEMATICS 16.1 Work math problems as required in telecommunications service and installation work

17.0 OPTICAL WIRING 17.1 Safety-demonstrate the rules for disposal and eye safety when working with fiber optics equipment 17.2 List different parameters and reasons for choosing each type of optical cable 17.3 Describe the conversion process from copper to fiber signals 17.4 Define and explain the term SONET 17.5 Explain DWDM, Dense Wave Division Multiplexing

18.0 WIRELESS TELEPHONY 18.1 Give an overview of the differences between wired telecommunications and cellular networks. 18.2 Describe the concepts and architectures of cellular telephone systems 18.3 Define Spread Spectrum broadcasting techniques 18.4 Explain TDMA and CDMA modulation 18.5 Give a description of how Paging Services operate 18.6 Explain the principles of telephone communications via satellites 18.7 Describe the major components of satellite uplink and downlink systems

Additional Suggested Texts:

Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook, 2E; Ray Horak; Wiley; ISBN 978-0470396070 Communications Systems and Networks, 3rd edition; Ray Horak; Wiley; ISBN 978-0764548994 Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary; Ray Horak; Wiley; ISBN 978-0471774570 Voice and Data Communications Handbook, Regis Bates/Donald Gregory, McGraw-Hill ISBN 0-07-006398-6 Newton’s Telecom Dictionary, 30th edition, Harry Newton/Steve Schoen, Telecom Pub., ISBN 978-0979387388 Essential Guide to Telecommunications, 5E; Annabel Z. Dodd, Prentice Hall, 978-0137058914 Cabling—The Complete Guide to Network Wiring, 3E; David Groth/Jim McBee/David Barnett; 2004; Sybex; ISBN 978-0782143317; available at www.eta-i.org 800-288-3824 (ETA)

Committee Members for TELECOMMUNICATIONS CET:

Committee Chairman: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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